Filter with quick attachment features

Abstract

A quick attachment feature for a filter includes i) a pair of radially-outward projecting pivots on opposite sides of the filter canister toward a lower end thereof; and ii) a pair of flexible retaining clips also located on opposite side of the canister toward the upper end thereof, each clip in substantial axial alignment along the canister with a respective pivot. The filter can be supported in a bracket including a pair of side walls, each of the side walls including i) a hook-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a respective pivot on the filter, and allow the filter to pivot from an orientation at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bracket, to an orientation where the filter is substantially axially-aligned with the bracket; and ii) a catch dimensioned to engage and retain a respective retaining clip, when the filter is substantially aligned with the bracket.

1. A filter, comprising filtration media enclosed within a housing, the housing including an inlet and outlet port to direct fluid into and out of the housing; and attachment structure to enable the housing to be attached to a bracket, the attachment structure including i) a pair of outwardly projecting pivots located on opposite sides of the housing toward one end thereof; and ii) a pair of flexible retaining clips also located on opposite sides of the housing toward another end thereof, each clip in substantial axial alignment along the length of the housing with a respective pivot. 
     
     
       2. The filter in  claim 1 , wherein each pivot includes a base and an enlarged head, the head including an underside tapered surface forming a lip. 
     
     
       3. The filter as in  claim 2 , wherein the base includes an extension defining a stand-off, and projecting outwardly from the housing in coplanar relation to an outer surface of the head. 
     
     
       4. The filter as in  claim 1 , wherein each pivot includes a locating ridge, extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial extent of the housing. 
     
     
       5. The filter as in  claim 1 , wherein each retaining clip includes a flexible, axially-extending body portion, and an integral tab portion, projecting perpendicular to the body portion. 
     
     
       6. The filter as in  claim 5 , wherein each retaining clip extends from a base end connected toward the one end of the housing, to a free head end toward the other end of the housing, and the tab portion is located at the head end of the retaining clip. 
     
     
       7. The filter as in  claim 5 , wherein each tab portion further includes a projection extending outward from a surface of the tab portion. 
     
     
       8. The filter as in  claim 5 , and further including an outwardly-projecting stand-off axially spaced from each retaining clip, and dimensioned to prevent the respective retaining clip from being bent inwardly against the housing by a wall of a bracket. 
     
     
       9. The filter as in  claim 8 , wherein each retaining clip extends from a base end connected toward the one end of the housing, to a head end toward the other end of the housing, and the stand-off is axially spaced from the head end of the retaining clip toward the other end of the housing. 
     
     
       10. A filter, comprising filtration media enclosed within a canister, the canister including an end cap at an upper open end thereof, and an inlet and outlet port in the end cap to direct fluid into and out of the canister; and attachment structure to enable the canister to be attached to a bracket, the attachment structure including i) a pair of radially-outward projecting pivots located on opposite sides of the canister toward a lower end thereof; and ii) a pair of retaining clips also located on opposite side of the canister toward the upper end thereof, each clip in substantial axial alignment along the length of the housing with a respective pivot, and each clip being radially flexible. 
     
     
       11. The filter in  claim 10 , wherein each pivot includes a base and an enlarged head, the head including an underside tapered surface defining a lip. 
     
     
       12. The filter as in  claim 11 , wherein the base includes an extension, with an outer surface interconnected to and flush with an outer surface of the head. 
     
     
       13. The filter as in  claim 12 , wherein each pivot further includes a locating ridge, extending in a circumferential direction around the housing from the base extension. 
     
     
       14. The filter as in  claim 11 , wherein each retaining clip includes a flexible, axially-extending body portion, and an integral tab portion, projecting perpendicular to the body portion. 
     
     
       15. The filter as in  claim 14 , wherein each retaining clip extends from a base end connected toward the lower end of the canister, to a free head end toward the upper end of the canister, and the tab portion is located at the head end of the retaining clip. 
     
     
       16. The filter as in  claim 15 , wherein each tab portion includes a projection extending radially-outward from a surface of the tab portion. 
     
     
       17. The filter as in  claim 16 , and further including a radially outwardly-projecting stand-off axially spaced from the head end of each retaining clip, and dimensioned to prevent the respective retaining clip from being bent inwardly against the canister by a wall of a bracket. 
     
     
       18. A filter assembly comprising a filter and a support bracket, the filter including filtration media enclosed within a canister, the canister including an end cap at an upper open end thereof, and an inlet and outlet port in the end cap to direct fluid into and out of the canister; and attachment structure to enable the filter to be attached to the bracket, the attachment structure including i) a pair of radially-outward projecting pivots located on opposite sides of the canister toward a lower end thereof; and ii) a pair of retaining clips also located on opposite side of the canister toward the upper end thereof, each clip in substantial axial alignment along the length of the canister with a respective pivot, and each clip being radially flexible; the support bracket including a body portion having a longitudinal extent, and a pair of sidewalls, projecting outwardly from the body in spaced-apart relation such that the filter can be closely received therebetween, each of the side walls including i) a hook-shaped slot dimensioned to receive a respective pivot on the filter, and allow the filter to pivot from an orientation at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bracket, to an orientation where the filter is substantially axially-aligned with the bracket; and ii) a catch dimensioned to engage and retain a respective retaining clip, when the filter is substantially aligned with the bracket. 
     
     
       19. The filter assembly in  claim 18 , wherein each pivot includes a base and an enlarged head, the head including an underside tapered surface defining a lip, and the hook-shaped slot includes a corresponding tapered surface, the tapered surface of the head dimensioned to pivot against the tapered surface of the slot. 
     
     
       20. The filter assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein each base includes an extension, with an outer surface interconnected to and flush with an outer surface of the head, the extensions dimensioned to be closely received between the sidewalls of the bracket. 
     
     
       21. The filter assembly as in  claim 20 , wherein each pivot includes a locating ridge, extending in a circumferential direction from the base, the locating ridges dimensioned to guide the canister between the sidewalls as the filter is aligned with the bracket. 
     
     
       22. The filter assembly as in  claim 18 , wherein each retaining clip includes a flexible, axially-extending body portion, and an integral tab portion, projecting perpendicular to the body portion. 
     
     
       23. The filter assembly as in  claim 18 , wherein each retaining clip extends from a base end connected toward the lower end of the canister, to a free head end toward the upper end of the canister, and the tab portion is located at the head end of the retaining clip. 
     
     
       24. The filter assembly as in  claim 23 , wherein each tab portion includes a projection extending radially-outward from a surface of the tab portion, and each sidewall includes a corresponding catch dimensioned to receive the projection and lock the filter to the bracket. 
     
     
       25. The filter assembly as in  claim 24 , and further including a radially outwardly-projecting stand-off axially spaced from each retaining clip, and dimensioned to prevent the respective retaining clip from being bent inwardly against the canister by a wall of the bracket. 
     
     
       26. The filter assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein each retaining clip extends from a base end connected toward the lower end of the canister, to a head end toward the upper end of the canister, and the stand-off is axially spaced from the head end of the retaining clip toward the upper end of the canister.